Scientists turn plastic waste into edible protein cookies

Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have developed a method to convert plastic waste and agricultural byproducts into edible, protein-rich cookies, a process they say could help address both pollution and future food shortages. The innovation, dubbed µBites (pronounced "microbites"), was presented at the American Chemical Society's Fall 2026 meeting in Chicago, with the team awaiting institutional approval to conduct taste tests.

The process, developed by a team led by associate professor Lahiru Jayakody and graduate research assistant Sandhya Jayasekara, begins with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, commonly used in water bottles, and agricultural waste such as corn stalks and leaves. These materials are subjected to a process called oxidative hydrothermal dissolution, which uses heat, water, and oxygen to break them down into smaller, water-soluble fragments. These fragments are then fed to genetically programmed yeasts, which use metabolic processes to convert them into food components like proteins, fats, and acids. The researchers also engineered yeasts to produce flavoring molecules, such as vanillin for a vanilla taste, and beta-carotene for...